Live Updates: Zimbabwe 2013 Election

In an election that poses one of the biggest threats to President Robert Mugabe’s 33-year grip on power, Zimbabweans flocked to polling stations Wednesday despite suspicions that vote-counting could be rigged in a nation beset by bitter division and economic hardship.

After the aborted June 2008 presidential run-off in which President Mugabe contested against himself after Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew citing the murder of an estimated 500 supporters, Zimbabweans finally got the chance to conclude that tragic chapter and decide who leads the country.

Below is what is happening around the country

20:33 ZEC chairperson Rita Makarau now addressing a press conference

*All people in queues before 7 to be cleared by midnight- Makarau

*”all polling stations in general peaceful and orderly”

20:26 ZEC press conference waiting for ZBC to sort out its usual technical challenges before we can have the briefing on election (Journalist Stanley Kwenda)

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*Obasanjo “I will not say that not having either a hard or soft copy of voters roll will remove credibility of the election” #ZimElections

Extension of voting time debate

We understand Zanu PF is trying to bus in people from the rural areas into urban zones and the best time to do it is at night. Any extension of the voting time will therefore help Zanu PF and be to the detriment of democracy loving Zimbabweans.

We have also bee told “There is a difference between extending voting from 7 pm to 12 midnight and allowing anybody who is in the queue at 7pm to be allowed to vote. The latter is not an extension of voting time but merely complying with the legal requirement.”

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Latest: Voting in Zimbabwe’s presidential and parliamentary elections has been extended for five hours after long queues formed at polling stations. The fiercely contested poll is said to be orderly and peaceful so far, despite being hit by fraud allegations. (Daily News)

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*All former soldiers have been ordered to report at army headquarters, KG6, tomorrow without fail, MDC-T secretary general Tendai Biti has revealed. Biti told journalists at a Press Conference this afternoon that he had intelligence information about the reporting instructions.

When about the motive behind the order, Biti said: “I have no further details since we were informed by whistleblowers.” Observers suspect the former soldiers could be used as Zanu (PF) and Mugabe’s last line of defence if they should lose the elections. (The Zimbabwean).

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*Journalist David Smith: “Election officers at Tafara primary school say 593 people have voted but 138 were turned away, with 32 not on the voters roll at all.

*ZEC press conference at 8pm today at HICC – most journalists hearing they might extend polling time to midnight because of the high voter turnout. ‪#‎ZimElections‬

“On this day, at this hour, with such a critical national process going on, ZBC is screening an investigation into the disappearance of women’s undergarments in Njelele. I mean, honestly, if that is not enough to get those of you still procrastinating from going out and casting your ballot, then nothing will…” (Irene Petras).

Brave MDC-T polling agent in Mt Darwin

*”Kuno kuMt Darwin North at Zambara primary school Edmore Rufasi MDC Agent ataurira vanhu vese kuti hapana anonyorerwa sekuda kwezanu munu wese ngaanyore wega. Heya heya akashinga murume uyu anemweya wamwari unobvisa mashave ezanu. Kanzura wemdc akahwina kare uncontested.”

14:53 “Chaos here @ Ex Hopley Farm pa clinic…voting has virtually stopped..they now want to collect i.ds according to surnames…unheard of….been here since 5 am …thought this was a Zanu PF stronghold..Harare South??” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

Attempt to use bogus voters’ roll in Strathhaven

“At Strathaven, some people who were not appearing on the roll were made to wait for updated roll. Later an A4 size ‘role’ was brought and the alert observers queried it and the roll taken away. MDC and observers please be alert especially in rural areas. This is not a drill!! I repeat this is not a drill.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

Intimidation in Muzarabani

“Pliz help us here in Muzarabani north constituency Kapembere ward 5,there is this notorious aspiring councillor who spearheaded violence in 2008 is intimidating MDC supporters with unspecified measures, he is saying mdc supporters should be assisted to vote by zanu pf youth. Please phone him and tell him to stop that @0773277828.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

*Zec chairperson Rita Makarau says the commission is investigating reports of a high number of assisted voters

*Journalist David Smith asked Tendai Biti if MDC-T will challenge the result in the courts or the streets. He insisted it will win.

*MDC president Welshman Ncube and wife Thobekile go through the voting process at Stanely Hall in Makokoba Bulawayo. #ZimElections

Summary of Tendai Biti press conference at Harvest House

Tendai Biti complains about lack of soft copy of voters roll. “This is not the age of old Remington typewriters in museums.” #ZimElections

* “We’ve already made clear this election is illegal, illegitimate, unfree and unfair… We are participating with a heavy heart.” #ZimElections

* “A lot of the shenanigans have taken place before polling day.” Even in 2008 there was hardly any violence on polling day.

*Voters roll has 200,000 people over the age of 103. ZEC is an “arrogant group of people”. #ZimElections

* We are told that “tonight there will be an attempt to swap ballot boxes.” The mood out there is one of “defiance”.

*“We have been asking ZEC what is the rationale for printing the additional 35% of ballot papers?” Standard practice is 5%.

*Village headmen marching voters in line, but in one village people rebelled. Reports of voters forced to memorize end of serial nos.

Biti alleges “shenanigans” with the special votes. “A total dog’s breakfast.”

* “There are many instances across the country of polling stations being placed in the wrong constituency and disenfranchising voters.”

*“Thousands and thousands of people are being disenfranchised by virtue of not finding their names.”

Biti alleges deliberate go slow in MDC seat and a school where 35% of people are being turned away. Says happening across the country.

Biti on ZEC: “Such an insensitive bunch of people” with no regard for the law. “Very patronising and unacceptable.”

At MDC-T press conference. Tendai Biti: “These are trying times for the people of Zimbabwe and the Movement for Democratic Change.”

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*Someone saw his relative wearing a police uniform but is not a police officer at Seke ward 11 (ZimRights on twitter)

*Press Conference: Tendai Biti on Zimbabwe Electoral Commision (ZEC). “Such an insensitive bunch of people” with no regard for the law. “Very patronising and unacceptable.” #ZimElections

14:20 “Voting in Banket going on smoothly. It was surprisingly fast. If voter registration moved this smooth, every adult in Zim would have voted today.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

14:18 “Zanu PF agent in Zvishavane ward two is writing down names of those who vote at Madzima house.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

*Zanu PF trucks carrying voters from Veterinary Station P/Station in Chiweshe to Godzi P/Station, Mazowe South ‪#‎ZimElections‬

14:08 Tsvangirai “After suspicion..hostility..there is a sense of calmness that finally Zimbabwe will be able to move on again.”

14:06 Bindura – About 283 people had voted by 1pm at Chipadze Secondary School while 36 were turned away #ZimElections

*Former Gwanda mayor Lionel De Necker says ballot papers for council candidates have run out in Gwanda Central

14:00 Goromonzi South- ZANU PF people coming in with voters in trucks wearing party regalia and are getting first preference. (ZESN) #ZimElections

13:50 “There are people from Tsholotsho and Binga who are still stranded today at Mbare Musika bus terminus after they were bused for Mugabe rally at the National Sports stadium. They are hungry and they don’t have bus fares.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

*Both SADC and AU observers say voting has been smooth and peaceful so far apart from minor glitches

*Nembudziya in Gokwe North has a high turnout of voters, especially the youth (Cynthia Manjoro on twitter)

*Mguza Chief’s Hall, 800 voted and 34 turned away. some were not on voters roll and did not have slips.

13:25 Dangamvura area 16 shopping centre ward 182 police officers in the polling station. The process is going well. #ZimElections

13:22 “I have voted about 3 hours ago and the ink is not indelible , its fading easily and i hope that it was not an intentional move to aid rigging by this regime, being aided by Nikuv.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

13:20hrs: “No more queues at most Glenview polling stations. One can just walk in and be served instantly. All the morning hustle has literally disappeared. No funny incidents.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

13:19 “Chegutu West ward 12 Lady of Sorrow polling station the contesting Zanu PF candidate fought nemunhu waakakunda pamaelections. Many people are being assisted to vote and more are being turned away coz they are not in the voters roll.” #NehandaCitizenReports

13:10 “At Parirenuyatwa there is a polling station for the voters in ward 6, Harare Central, most voters do not know it so pliz publish so that they get served in time.its a “hidden polling station” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

12;48 One woman failed to vote at Matsuka polling station, Zvishavane-Runde although she has been voting at the same station for years (Cynthia Manjoro on twitter)

12:38 Incident report: Ward 4, Mrs Gonza, Mudimu supporter, intimidated and harassed Mukoma for being an MDC-T polling agent.

12:35 Zebediah Chauke, my form 3 English language teacher at Takwirira high in Chipinge South has just been assisted to vote (Thomas Madhuku on twitter)

12:34 “At Gwinyiro primary school (Mufakose) 500 people have voted and the queues have already subsided with a few voters still trickling in singles.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

12:08 Wedza, Banket & Pfupajena reports that there are no more voters at polling station, polling agents now idle. (Delta Milayo on twitter)

12:26 Chinhoyi Primary School and Chengetenai polling stations Zanu PF youth are moving around whispering to people in queues kuti bhora mugedhi. This is not permitted under the Electoral Act.

12:21 Chirere primary, Ward 14 Zvishavane, over 200 people have voted and another 200 still in the queue. 10 turned away for non-registration

12:09 The police officers who were bused to Belgravia Sports Club Polling station (Harare). They are holding up & skipping queues (Delta Milayo on twitter)

*“How can this be on earth. A mind boggling development is unfolding @ Sanzaguru Secondary in Makoni West. There is a long snaking queue of youthful male voters only, who are suspected to be military recruits from the adjacent 32 Infantry Battalion. No civilians or women are voting at the centre raising fears that the point may have been quarantined to see how the small boys would have voted. Shame.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

*Where are Sadc and AU observers this side of the world (Gutu Central) empty polling station which claims 200 have voted and left (Journalist Elias Mambo)

11:26 *MDC-T press conference at Harvest House 1400hrs to be addressed by Secretary General Tendai Biti on latest developments

*Elias Mambo and Phylis Mbanje (Zimbabwe Standard Reporters) are being questioned by the police over covering the voting process in Gutu. ‪#‎ZimElections‬

*Chegutu east ward 17 dombwe polling station, voters are being forced to go to the polling station, recorded groups of 10 pple

*Kuwadzana phase, Fundo primary 7, Harare; people turned away for bringing licenses or names not in the voters roll #Zimelections

*Belvedere shopping centre, Harare 13 year old found videotaping the voting process. Police and polling agents failing to delete video #ZimElections

*129 people turned away at Mt Pleasant heights polling station, the presiding officer said their names are in ward 20 Mazowe South

*Those whose names are not appearing in the roll at Seke 3 Secondary are being refered to command centre at community

*MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai casting his vote vote at Mt Pleasant High School at 10 am.

*Large turnout out in Mbare so far